Is Argan Oil Good for Wrinkles?
Argan oil has a reputation as an "anti-aging" oil, and unlike many beauty claims, this one has at least some human research behind it. But the studies are smaller and more specific than the marketing suggests. Here's what argan oil can realistically do for lines and firmness, and what does more.
The short answer
Argan oil won't erase wrinkles, but it may help. Small studies in postmenopausal women found that applying it daily for 60 days improved skin elasticity and hydration on the forearm. Well-moisturized skin also makes fine lines look softer. For real wrinkle prevention and reduction, pair it with daily sunscreen and, if suitable, a retinoid.
Is argan oil good for wrinkles? What the elasticity study found
The key study was published in 2015 in Clinical Interventions in Aging. Researchers in Morocco recruited 60 postmenopausal women and randomly split them into two groups of 30. Every participant applied argan oil to her left forearm each night, roughly 10 drops, for 60 days. One group also ate 25 mL of argan oil a day; the other ate olive oil instead1.
Using instruments that measure how skin stretches and springs back, the team found that the forearm treated with argan oil showed significant improvements in several elasticity measures by day 601. The group eating argan oil also improved on the untreated arm, more than the olive oil group did. The authors attributed the effects largely to argan oil's antioxidants, especially vitamin E1.
What this study does and doesn't tell us
- It measured elasticity, not wrinkles. Wrinkle depth and visible lines weren't the outcome.
- It was on forearms, not faces. Facial skin behaves differently, and we can't assume an identical effect.
- It was short and small. Sixty days in 60 women, and the authors themselves flag the short duration as a limitation1.
- It wasn't blinded. A later review of clinical oil studies describes the companion trial as randomized and open-label2, and the participants knew which arm they were treating.
So this is encouraging early evidence, specific to postmenopausal skin, rather than proof that argan oil reverses facial aging.
Does eating argan oil help too?
Interestingly, in the elasticity study the women who also ate argan oil every day saw improvements on the forearm they didn't treat, and did better on that arm than the olive oil group by day 601. It's one small trial, and 25 mL a day is a lot of oil to add to a diet, so it's not a reason to start drinking it. If you're curious about the edible version, note that culinary and cosmetic argan oils are made differently and aren't interchangeable; see culinary vs. cosmetic argan oil.
The hydration study
The same research group published a companion paper on hydration. Applying argan oil to the forearm for 60 days significantly reduced transepidermal water loss, the rate at which water escapes through the skin, and increased the water content of the outer skin layer3. The authors concluded argan oil improved hydration by helping restore barrier function3.
That matters for lines because hydrated skin looks smoother. It's also consistent with what argan oil is made of: mainly oleic and linoleic fatty acids, plus vitamin E (600 to 700 mg per kilogram), plant sterols and squalene4.
How moisture softens the look of fine lines
The American Academy of Dermatology puts it simply: moisturizing traps water in the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of some fine lines and make your complexion look brighter5. It lists a daily facial moisturizer among its 11 ways to reduce premature skin aging6.
There's an important distinction here. A moisturizer can plump fine lines almost immediately, but that effect is temporary, and most products take at least six weeks, sometimes three months, to show more lasting change5. Deep creases and folds come from collagen loss, sun damage and the way your face moves, and no oil will flatten them.
Argan oil wrinkles before and after: what to expect
| Timeframe | What you might notice | What's behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Right away | Softer, more supple skin; fine dry lines look less pronounced | Surface moisture and emollience |
| 4 to 8 weeks | Skin feels less tight and flaky; a more even, comfortable texture | Reduced water loss and better hydration3 |
| About 2 months | Possibly a little more spring, based on forearm research in postmenopausal women | Elasticity changes seen in one small trial1 |
| Not realistic | Deep wrinkles disappearing, a "lifted" face | No evidence for this from any plant oil |
For more on realistic timelines across face, hair and nails, see argan oil before and after.
What works better for wrinkles, and how argan oil fits
Sunscreen, every day
The single most effective anti-wrinkle habit is protecting your skin from the sun. The AAD's first recommendation for reducing premature aging is daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, plus shade and protective clothing; it also advises not smoking and avoiding tanning6. Argan oil is not a sunscreen and shouldn't be used as one.
Retinoids
Vitamin A derivatives are among the best-studied ingredients for fine lines. In a randomized, double-blind trial in older adults, 0.4% retinol lotion applied to the arm for 24 weeks significantly reduced fine wrinkles compared with the plain lotion, and increased markers of collagen production8. The AAD notes retinoids work by speeding cell turnover and boosting collagen, but commonly cause redness, dryness and peeling at first, and recommends following them with moisturizer7.
That's where argan oil earns its place. A few drops after a retinoid can offset dryness and make it easier to stay consistent. Our guide to using argan oil with retinol covers the order and timing. Retinoids aren't recommended during pregnancy7.
Sunscreen prevents, retinoids repair, and a good oil keeps skin comfortable enough to stick with both.
Argan oil for eye wrinkles
The skin of the eyelids is among the thinnest on the body. A study of skin thickness across 28 body sites found eyelid skin was among the thinnest measured, at roughly a quarter to a third the thickness of skin on the back9. That makes the area quick to show dryness and fine lines, and also more prone to irritation. If you use argan oil around your eyes, one drop shared between both sides is plenty, tapped gently along the orbital bone rather than onto the lids. We cover technique and cautions in argan oil under the eyes.
How to use argan oil for wrinkles on the face
- Patch test first. Apply a small amount to your inner arm twice a day for seven to 10 days, as the AAD recommends for new products10.
- Apply to clean, slightly damp skin. Moisture on the skin gives the oil something to hold in.
- Use two to three drops for the whole face. Warm them between your palms and press them in, rather than rubbing or tugging.
- Layer it last at night. If you use a retinoid or a water-based moisturizer, apply those first and finish with the oil. See argan oil before or after moisturizer for more on layering.
- In the morning, finish with sunscreen. If you use oil in the morning, keep it to a drop or two and let it settle before SPF.
- Be consistent. The studies above used argan oil every day for 60 days. Daily use is fine for most people; see is it okay to use argan oil every day.
If you want an oil to use this way, choose a pure, cold-pressed cosmetic oil without added fragrance. Ours is 100% organic argan oil, unroasted and cold-pressed in Morocco, in a glass dropper bottle that makes three drops easy to measure.
Frequently asked questions
Does argan oil tighten skin?
One small study found that applying argan oil to the forearm for 60 days improved skin elasticity in postmenopausal women. That is not the same as tightening or lifting facial skin, and the effect on the face hasn't been studied.
Is argan oil better than retinol for wrinkles?
No. Retinoids have much stronger evidence for reducing fine lines. Argan oil is better thought of as a moisturizing partner that can make retinoids easier to tolerate.
Can I use argan oil around my eyes for wrinkles?
Yes, in small amounts. Use a single drop for both eyes, tap it along the orbital bone rather than onto the lids, and stop if you notice irritation or tiny white bumps.
How long does argan oil take to work on wrinkles?
Skin can feel softer immediately, and fine dry lines may look less obvious within days. The research on elasticity and hydration measured changes over 60 days.
Sources
- Qiraouani Boucetta K, Charrouf Z, Aguenaou H, Derouiche A, Bensouda Y. The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Clin Interv Aging. 2015;10:339–349. Link
- Poljšak N, Kočevar Glavač N. Vegetable butters and oils as therapeutically and cosmetically active ingredients for dermal use: a review of clinical studies. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:868461. Link
- Boucetta KQ, Charrouf Z, Derouiche A, Rahali Y, Bensouda Y. Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use. Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(5):280–288. Link
- Serrafi A, Chegdani F, Bennis F, Kepinska M. The importance of argan oil in medicine and cosmetology. Nutrients. 2024;16(20):3573. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. Wrinkle remedies. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. 11 ways to reduce premature skin aging. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. Retinoid or retinol? Link
- Kafi R, Kwak HS, Schumacher WE, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(5):606–612. Link
- Lee Y, Hwang K. Skin thickness of Korean adults. Surg Radiol Anat. 2002;24(3–4):183–189. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to test skin care products. Link
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. If you're pregnant, have a skin condition, or are using prescription treatments, check with your dermatologist before adding something new.
